Brandon Butler, who organised the public drive, says in a statement: “Unfortunately, it is with great disappointment that I inform everyone that the Kennedy Center will not include Don Felder, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner to be honoured.”

He also published the response from the president of the Kennedy Center, Deborah Rutter, which reads: “The Kennedy Center consulted with the Eagles and through that discussion, it was determined that the four band members who ‘carried the torch’ – Don Henley, the late Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit, and Joe Walsh – will be awarded the honours.

“We appreciate that there will be some debate about who constitutes the Eagles. This determination does not discredit the contributions of former band members.”

The Eagles will be joined on the night by Mavis Staples, James Taylor, along with actor Al Pacino and pianist Martha Argerich.